The Laroche Family

[Laura Melinda Varjo]

The Laroches were travelling from France to Haiti, where Joseph was from. It was Joseph's mom who bought them a surprise ticket, and Juliette, in return bought gifts for her, which she was carrying on the Titanic. Did they ever meet ? Has the grandma ever saw her two , later three little grandchildren ?

Laura

 

[Bob Godfrey]

In 1920 Joseph's mother travelled to France to meet her grandchildren (and her daughter-in-law) for what was I think the first and only time. It seems that this meeting was not a very happy occasion and they parted more as strangers than family. Olivier Mendez can probably tell you more.

 

[Laura Melinda Varjo]

Thank you for this information, I didn't know that Joseph's mom travelled all the way up to France to visit her daughter in law and grandchildren, that was nice of her. But I wonder as to why they parted, instead of being there for each other, when both had lost the same person they loved. Oh well. Thanks again.

Laura

 

[Grant Woollacott]

It is noted in the biography of Mrs. Laroche that she was pregnant at the time of the sinking and gave birth to a Joseph Laroche Jr. later in 1912. It is also noted that he married a women named Claudine she is alive but he has since died and they had several children together. Dose anyone happen to know the names of these children?

 

[Linda Walker]

Is there a new Titanic movie coming out and will the movie show the Laroche family?

The Laroche family should have been in the 1997 Titanic movie. Joseph Laroche was the only black passenger and died in the sinking of Titanic.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>Is there a new Titanic movie coming out and will the movie show the Laroche family?<<

Not as far as anybody here has heard. Interest in the ship is at something of a low ebb so I doubt anybody is going to pony up the cash in the hopes of another Cameron styled blockbuster.

 

[Adam Went]

I'd suggest that interest in the Titanic will be restored in the lead up to, and following the centenary in April 2012 - perhaps there will be more movie ideas floated around then....

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>perhaps there will be more movie ideas floated around then....<<

Possibly. However, if the prospective makers of any such film want to "cash in" on the centenary, then it's already too late. I suppose somebody could throw together one of those made for TV "Based On True Events" sort of productions, but anything really first rate which would do any justice to the event takes years to accomplish.

 

[Adam Went]

Michael:

Well it's always going to be hard to follow up with another Titanic movie after the success of the James Cameron one, because for one thing they will inevitably be compared - however, milestones often play a large part in successful projects so I wouldn't be surprised to see some sort of Titanic film appear around 2012, even if it's just a made for TV one as you say.

Or perhaps even a second GOTA-style documentary....

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>Or perhaps even a second GOTA-style documentary....<<

Maybe not quite that great but I found out today that there is another expedition going out to the ship with both RMSTI and Woods Hole Institute involved in the project. Since the idea is to make the most complete map possible of the wrecksite and get up to date information on the condition of the ship, it'll be real sweet if it all works out.

Who knows, National Geographic just might get another documentary out of it!

 

[Adam Went]

Michael:

Interesting stuff! They really need to try and get as much footage from inside the wreck as possible now, because in another 5 or 10 years it might be too late. Just hopefully she will hang in there until the centenary atleast.

Wonder if Bob Ballard has any plans to return to the site any time soon?

(Yes, we're a bit off topic....)

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>Wonder if Bob Ballard has any plans to return to the site any time soon?<<

Don't know, but he is conspicuously absent from this little venture. I suppose he may have decided he's had enough and it's time to move on.

I wouldn't bet on much in the way of interior surveys. James Cameron showed how it could be done by going ahead and making it happen, but there's no evidence that this group is interested in doing the same. I would love to be wrong about this one. As you pointed out, it may not be possible for much longer.

 

[steven p greiner]

From what I have read, I have heard that there will be a 3-dimensional image of the ship that will measure thicknesses of decks, bulkheads, and hull, and will project it into a 3-d image for posterity, showing images, or at least shapes of the interior contents. Now that sounds pretty cool, but does that technology really exist? I have seen many articles on the web about this, with woods hole returning there this summer, sans Ballard of course.

 

[Adam Went]

Michael:

Well I suppose Bob is getting on for 70 years old now and might want to wind the roster down a bit as well, but it'd still be good.....actually it would have been good to have had a 25th anniversary of the discovery reunion this September or something, though clearly that's not in the pipeline!

Steven:

Very high-tech, though wouldn't it be easier to try and create that image using original photos and dimensions? Would imagine it'd be easier, not to mention more accurate, than trying to do it on a ship that's been 2.5 miles underwater for 100 years.....still, if they're capable of doing it, that'd be fantastic!

 

[steven p greiner]

I have no doubt that it will be hyped, perhaps over hyped, to satisfy many different agendas. not the least being James Cameron's 3-D release. One must wonder what the condition of the North Atlantic shall be April 15, 2012. I doubt that any ships at the location of the wreck will be sitting in a calm sea enjoying cocktails on deck on that particular day. The North Atlantic will have the last word.